Secondary Modules
Each module challenges students to explore the many facets of an issue—illustrating the complexity of real life environmental decisions. Modules are multidisciplinary and standards-based, while incorporating key concepts from social science, humanities, sciences, and math. The modules are intended for grades 9-12 but can be adapted for other audiences such as entry level college course and adult community groups.
Each module contains in-depth background information for the teacher, and student activities. The modules are designed to be infused into existing curriculum and are correlated to the National Science Standards and National Social Studies Standards. PLT's secondary modules include:
Exploring Environmental Issues: The Places We Live
Students will explore current and future community environmental issues, enabling them to make informed decisions about those issues. This module provides educators with a useful tool for placed based education to help create a bond between young citizens and their communities. Online professional development training for Places We Live now available -- Click here
Global Connections: Forests of the World
The module activities provide students with opportunities to apply scientific processes and higher order thinking skills while investigating world forestry issues and conducting service learning action projects. The information will help students and educators gain an increased understanding and appreciation of the diversity of world forest environments, with an emphasis on the human interaction with and dependence on those environments.
Exploring Environmental Issues: Biodiversity
It permits educators and students to step back from specific issues and species and instead examine broader concepts and larger connections—not just biological, but political, cultural, ethical, and economic as well. Students will learn that decisions about growth and development, about energy use and water quality, even health, all rest to some extent on perspectives about biodiversity. Download activities for free.
Exploring Environmental Issues: Focus on Forests
Forest related examples are used to help students better understand the complexity of environmental issues. Students examine issues objectively, collect and analyze data, and become involved in decision making experiences. They learn how to present arguments clearly and how citizens can play a role in forest management decisions.
The Changing Forest: Forest Ecology
Students examine ecological systems of a forest, analyze interdependencies within a forest ecosystem, and explore factors that shape the development of forests. In addition, they develop critical thinking skills and discover the importance of scientific analysis when making decisions about forest issues.
Exploring Environmental Issues: Focus on Risk
Students explore the different aspects of environmental and human health risks that affect their everyday lives. Through eight hands-on activities, students analyze, explore, discover, and learn about risk assessment, risk communication, risk perception, and risk management. It incorporates science, social studies, math, geography, and language arts. Critical thinking, problem solving, and decision making are stressed throughout the activities.
Exploring Environmental Issues: Municipal Solid Waste
Students begin understanding waste management issues and options. The module uses hands-on experiences to show the interrelationships among waste generation,natural resource use, and disposal. The activities guide students through waste management strategies and solutions while providing the necessary tools to make informed decisions and choices on waste management issues.
A biotechnology supplement to go with the Focus on Risk module is under development.